Air cushion



Aug. 10 1926.

E. M. WILSON AIR CUSHION Filed July 8. 1925 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES EVELYN M. WILSON, or srmron CONNECTICUT.

AIR CUSHIO Application filed July 8, 1925. Serial No. 42,241.

This invention relates to cushions and more particularly to pneumaticcushions adapted for hospital and invalid use.

A primary, object of the invention is to provide a cushion which isadapted to give support tothe back of a patient lying in bed,particularly at. points Where most people complain of distress while inbed which is at the small of the back.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable cushionwhich relieves pressure at diflerent points on the body which aresusceptible to becoming pressure sores from prolonged confinement to thesick bed. Cushions heretofore generally used usually leave the hollow orwhat is known as the small of the back unsupported, but the presentdevice conforms tothe contour of the body in such a way that all pointsof the body alongthe line of the cushion are supported in their naturalmanner thus relieving distress and giving support which adds to comfort.

With the above and other objects in view which will more. readily appearas the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed. t

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure'l is a plan view of the improved air cushion.

, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken eflicient for theintended-purposes in on the line 22 of Figure '1.

Similar reference .characters designatecorresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings;

In carrying the invention into effect it is proposed to provide ,gninflatable body designated generally as A of any suitable material suchas rubber, or the like, which one side of the body there is provided aninis'not only easily inflated but resilient and.

soft under the weight of the patient. At

flating valve B for receivin air when the device is to be used pr deating it when the cushion is to be collapsedfor storage or carrying. J

As will be observed from Figure 1 the body A is curved inwardly atitsshort ends thereby to substantially define a pair of relativelyelongated wing-like pad members umn. These Wings are also equipped withcentral openings F and G, thereby providing. in etfect two elongatedcushion loops or pads which are adapted to be positioned beneath thehbllow portion of the patients backon opposite sides of the spinalcolumn so that the spinal column is supported on the'connecting webportion E. The inflated area E forms in effect a back supporting saddleand serves particularly as a support to the vertebral colu and musclesof the back thereby preventing, and also relieving, discomfort while thepads C and D support the sides of the body. Also due to the spacing andarrangement of the open ings F and G suflicient ventilation is permittedto avoid discomfort from body heat, which would not therwisebe permittedto escape. V

The construction and arrangement de scribed provides in efiect an aircushion having inflated side wings connected by the inflatedintermediate web portion E; "and,

provide relatively narrow inflated portions while the intermediate webportion E .pro-, vides a relatively wide inflated back supporting saddleportion. These features have been found to be .very practical landpitaland invalid use.

- The present cushion therefore includes a body which may be positionedcrosswise or lengthwise beneath the body of the patient thereby to bedoubly serviceable. Also, it will be apparent that the shape of thepresent air cushion is such that it may be applied to any part of thebody for purposes of support, andfor relieving discomfort and preventinI pressure sores as previously indicated, an furthermore is readilyreversible end for-end or side for side.

Without further description it is thought that the features andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparentto those skilled inthe art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form,proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appendedclaim.

I claim 2- An air cushion comprising a bod having. transversely spacedlongitudina 1y exr tendings, the ends of said body being curved inwardlyintermediate the Width thereof to partially define separate sections andform pairs of lobes and a comparatively Wide inflated intermediate Webconnecting said sections and forming a back supporting saddle,sufiiciently wide to span the spinal column and to lie on opposite sidesthereof. v

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature.

EVELYN M. WILSON.

